Fortress Budapest Vol 1 and 2: The Siege of the Hungarian Capital 1944-45 - Kamen Nevenkin

This review has been submitted to the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research

Title: Fortress Budapest Vol 1 and 2: The Siege of the Hungarian Capital 1944-45
Author: Kamen Nevenkin
ISBN: 978-615-80072-5-2
Publisher: PeKo Publishing
Year: 2020
Hardcover
Pages: 1107 Vol 1, 467 Vol 2
Photos/Maps: Vol 2 is all maps and photographs

Periodically one comes across a work of such depth and detail that it must surely be immediately ranked as the standard operational and tactical analysis of a particular event available to historians and military enthusiasts. These books by Bulgarian historian Nevenkin fall into that category. The authors lens encapsulates the entire 108 day campaign by the Soviets to seal off and capture the Hungarian capital of Budapest; transitioning from the macro level to the micro as he focuses upon the 50 days of fighting within the city itself. His narrative seamlessly swings from the Soviets to the Hungarian and German defenders who had turned the city into a fortress of hardpoints and mutually supporting gun positions. Caught between these forces were the civilians, desperate to escape and survive.

Nevenkin was able to draw upon previously unavailable primary source material from Russian and Hungarian archives to augment those from the German military. This has facilitated a level of detail, from multiple perspectives, formally impossible in his discussion of the unfolding combat; of particular note, the author has combined period photographs and maps to recreate visual representations of strongpoints within the city, including arcs of fire for artillery, machine gun and anti-tank nests, right down to the individual city block. In addition to providing the reader with a street level appreciation of the nature of the fighting, he has also provided an unprecedented level of visual detail, at the tactical level, of the complexity of fighting in built up areas. 

Interspersed within the narrative are hundreds of recollections by the officers and soldiers participating in the brutal fighting around and within Budapest. These stories serve to add a more personal sheen to the discussion of unit movement and engagements, serving to remind the reader that behind the words and numbers are real human beings, dying and being wounded in their thousands. Certainly, one is struck by the mass that the Soviets were able to bring to the fight in terms of both men and material. However, it is not only this that stands out; Eastern Front historians will note the progress made by the Soviets in combined arms attacks at the tactical and operational levels as well as the significant improvement in their strategic orchestration at the Corps, Army and Front levels. It is evident that Axis troops still maintained a clear superiority in terms of leadership, soldier skills and equipment; but the gap was noticeably closing. It is also obvious that, whatever delta remained between the Soviet and Axis forces, this was further diminished by the growing material imbalance between the forces engaged. 

It is insightful to note that as the ring closed and tightened around Budapest, the Axis leadership resorted to more and more desperate measures to keep the trapped forces resupplied. Bombers, gliders and transport aircraft were all used to deliver supplies; Nevenkin’s discussion of these efforts is both detailed and very engaging as he draws upon the journals and diaries of aircrew involved in these efforts. It is also indicative of the continued effectiveness of the Luftwaffe at this late point in the war (late 44-Jan 45). 

This two volume set on the battles leading up to investment of Budapest, the siege and ultimate capture of the city and the attempted breakout by Axis forces, may easily be considered to be the seminal work on this event. The level of detail, the seamless incorporation of first person accounts, the research and reproduction of maps and photographs all serve to emphasize the incredible level of research and work of history that the author has produced. This book is not for the casual reader, although the style of writing makes it more than accessible, but rather, fulfils the dual role of outstanding historical resource and battle study superbly. It is also important to note that while this book is an analysis of the combat raging around and within the Hungarian Capital, it is also built upon a foundation of the storied history between Hungary and its eastern neighbours. The author is to be commended for an excellent work and Peko Publishing for their continued superb quality of production.

After Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters June 1916 – November 1918 - James Goldrick

This review has been submitted to the Canadian Naval Review

Title: After Jutland: The Naval War in Northern European Waters June 1916 – November 1918
Author: James Goldrick
ISBN: 978-1-5267-4298-8
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publishing
Year: 2018
Hardcover
Pages: 332
Photos/Maps: 32/13 

The prevalent assumption amongst a significant portion of casual World War 1 enthusiasts is that, following the inconclusive Battle of Jutland, the German High Seas Fleet maintained a very limited presence on the high seas for the duration of the war, the Royal Navy continued, for the most part unchallenged, preserving the stranglehold on Germany and that the Baltic saw little if any activity whatsoever. Of course, this is far from the truth and Adm (ret'd) Goldrick’s work goes a long way in dismissing those misconceptions. His narrative iterates the experiences of the major Northern Theatre Battle Fleets (RN, German and Russian), as they undertake operations from the Gulf of Finland to the edge of the North Sea. While it is true that a second major fleet action along the lines of Jutland did not materialize, Goldrick makes it very clear that significant actions were very much the norm right up until the end of the war. 

The author is a professional Navy man, and that expertise comes through in his analysis and discussion of the engagements and operational challenges/successes of the different navies. Additionally, and just as significantly, he expands the scope of his narrative to include detailed reviews on the technological developments of the adversaries as the war progressed. These include but are not limited to mine warfare, naval air capabilities, gunnery, and submarine development. His observations and explanations on the impact of these areas on offensive and defensive operations are succinct and insightful. 

Navies operate in an international environment, free from the restraints of trench warfare etc. As such, they cannot help but interact with assets of non-combatant nations and these interactions can have far reaching effects well beyond their immediate boundaries. Goldrick incorporates his thoughts on the impact of these international engagements on the course of the war itself. The declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans in 1917, for example, was directly responsible for facilitating the entrance of the United States into the war. 

A particular strength of this book is the section that the author refers to as the ‘Reflections’. In this area, he finalizes the work with a series of conclusions on the overall conduct of the naval war by each of the main protagonists. His observations are telling and prescient. He is critical of the method by which the German Navy was utilized, suggesting that its strengths were not fully recognized specifically in the areas of surface raiders, submarine warfare (not unrestricted however), and operational doctrine in the use of mixed-use flotilla’s and scouting groups. Nevertheless, the author also recognizes the limitations imposed on the fleet by external factors such as the expanse of the submarine service on personnel and the deterioration of the ships themselves as the war progressed due to (presumably) the impact of the blockade on engineering supplies. The British, for their part, missed significant opportunities regarding mine warfare and the advent of naval aviation. Additionally, its failure to pursue more aggressively a coordinated effort with the Russians that may well have squeezed the German ability to respond on two naval fronts concurrently. The author also makes note of the Russian reluctance to engage in the Western regions of the Baltic Sea. Surely here was a missed opportunity to interdict the flow of resources, particularly iron ore, from Sweden to Germany. 

This was a very enjoyable book to read; educational, relevant, and featuring a good balance of technical insight as well as flowing narrative. It is strongly recommended for the casual historian as well as the dedicated researcher. The publisher has produced a very high quality book to go with the excellent read.

Panzers on the Vistula: Retreat and Route in East Prussia 1945 - Hans Schaufler

This review has been submitted to War History Online.

Title: Panzers on the Vistula: Retreat and Route in East Prussia 1945
Author: Hans Schaufler
ISBN: 978-1-526-73431-0
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Year: 2018
Hardcover
Pages: 139
Photos/Maps: 42/6

The author served as a member of the 4^th Panzer Division from 1939-1945. Commencing his career as soldier, he finished the war as a 2^nd Lieutenant and signals officer for Panzer Regiment 35 of the 4^th Panzer. This autobiography of his experiences commences in the dying days of the war as 4^th Panzer grapples with the Soviets during the three battles of the Kurland Pocket (encompassing the Baltic region of Latvia). These battles, running from October 1944 until early January, 1945 culminated in 4^th Panzer being evacuated by sea to the port of Danzig where the main narrative of the book begins. The author establishes himself as a thoughtful and insightful observer, well placed to present the reader with a strong sense of the environment within which he carried out his duties. 

The discussion of the fighting in the Danzig region is of particular note for a number of reasons. As the situation for the Germans continued to deteriorate, Shaufler notes the difference between units that maintain their discipline (such as his) and those that fracture. He discusses at some length the impact that leadership and unit pride has on continued cohesion and effectiveness, even in the face of catastrophe. Additionally, one is struck by the ability of the Germans to continue to logistically support their forces. While it was getting more difficult to maintain effective supply lines, Schaufler remarks repeatedly on how they were able to overcome. Given the pressure from the Soviet forces, the reinforcement of the Regiment with 27 new panther tanks in late February, 1945 serves as a good example. 

The book is not limited to discussion of the military elements of the author’s experiences. He highlights at length about the impact upon the non-combatant population of the fighting. As the Danzig region was cut off from a land route back to Germany by the Soviet forces, the civilian population became more desperate for a way out. Refugees clogging the roads impacted the ability of German forces to move throughout the region. Also, the limited naval support available to carry people and equipment out, had to be balanced between military forces critical to the ongoing defence of Germany, and the civilian population trapped within the pocket. Typical of the tragedy of this time was the sinking of the Goya, a liner, that was evacuating 7000 civilians and soldiers out of the Danzig area. The author narrowly missed being a passenger but lost hundreds of his comrades when a submarine sunk the ship on 16 April, 1945. Only 137 people were rescued. 

The story that the author relates regarding his and a few of his comrades, eventual escape back to Germany via a small watercraft following the cessation of hostilities on May 8, 1945, is an adventure in itself. His description of the chaos, luck and determination to return to Germany proper is an excellent synopsis of the desperation and anarchy evident in Central Europe as the war came to a close. He has also included first person accounts of those soldiers who escaped to Sweden only to be turned over to the Soviets months after the war was over as well as those who did not escape and were interred for years in Soviet prisons. 

Overall a very interesting and engaging read. This is a tactical, street level perspective on the closing days of the war and its immediate aftermath. While there are no references provided, the author presents a passionate and insightful account of his and his comrades’ experiences.